FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 February 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1141 consumer complaints on 14 February 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 954 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 569 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1141
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (569)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
The 1141 complaints recorded on 14 February 2017 originated from 760 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 135 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 86 | 7.5% |
| New York | 78 | 6.8% |
| Texas | 67 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 66 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 48 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 501 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 793 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 793 | 69.5% |
| Internet | 164 | 14.4% |
| TV | 128 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 48 | 4.2% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
793 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 569 | 71.8% |
| Billing | 116 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
164 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 43.3% |
| Availability | 36 | 22.0% |
| Speed | 15 | 9.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 57.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 13.3% |
| Equipment | 17 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.9% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 21 | 43.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 25.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 11 | 22.9% |
| Availability | 3 | 6.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.1% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 569 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 49.9% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (317) 491-6397 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (617) 965-0929 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (800) 453-2156 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (908) 353-7639 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (203) 648-4517 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (760) 239-0082 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (210) 824-9801 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (347) 474-3298 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (813) 383-7196 | 3 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.